Thousands of Dollars raised to help 47,000 Children served by DCF

Boston, MA – The field at Fenway Park is hallowed ground. The chance to watch a game played on it is special to all Red Sox and baseball fans. But the opportunity to go onto the lawn and celebrate the day with a picnic on the storied turf is something altogether unique and an occasion to be cherished.

The 12th annual Picnic in the Park, presented by Ace Ticket, Aramark, Kayem, HP Hood, and Home Goods took place an hour after the July 30 Red Sox-Royals game on a glorious sunny late Sunday afternoon.

The Red Sox Foundation Picnic in the Park has become a summer ritual in Boston with Red Sox fans of all ages flocking to the field their heroes play on to enjoy an early dinner on the grass, as well as the chance to get autographs from Red Sox players and coaches and help various charities.

Fans were granted access to the outfield for the picnic itself, an hour after the game. Fans with an “MVP” ticket also received a bleacher seat, an autographed ball from a Red Sox legend and the chance to take a picture with the 2004, ’07 and ’13 World Series trophies.

The best part for many of the fans who paid the premium to spend an hour or two on the field is walking away knowing they’ve made a substantial contribution to organizations that help those in need in the Boston community.

Proceeds from the latest edition of Picnic in the Park will benefit each of the five New England sports team charities, including the Red Sox Foundation, the Boston Bruins Foundation, the Shamrock Foundation, the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation and the New England Revolution Foundation.

But perhaps the most significant beneficiary of the Picnic in the Park was the DCF Kids Fund. The Kids Fund provides basic necessities and enrichment opportunities to 47,000 children served by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.

One of the highlights every year is the 55-minute autograph session with Red Sox players, who wait along the warning track to sign for fans. There was also a performance from Blue Man Group, a BBQ dinner on the outfield, goodie bags and a live auction of one-of-a-kind player-donated experiences from Red Sox players and their wives.